Earthquakes to the Core: Researchers Drill Down at the Epicenter - Science Nation

Understanding what happens at the epicenter of an earthquake, as the tectonic plates beneath the earth shift and the earth shakes, could help us better predict when and where the next "big one" will hit. For the past six years scientists from a number of institutions have joined in a project called San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth, or SAFOD. They have drilled to the core of the San Andreas Fault, near Parkfield Calif., down to a specific area along the fault known to experience a number of small earthquakes every year. With support from the National Science Foundation, geologists Chris Marone and Brett Carpenter took advantage of the SAFOD drilling and set to work to study those boundaries called fault zones -- where plates shift, pressure builds and earthquakes happen. Their goal is to better understand the types of rocks involved in major quakes, versus the rocks present during more forgiving ones. They're putting core rock samples through rigorous tests at their lab at Pennsylvania State University to determine the rocks' strengths and breaking points. They say their project is just one piece of a complex puzzle - how to better predict when major earthquakes will occur.

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[GuillermoPussetto]

The kind of research that can potentially save lives. Their job deserves our recognition and support.

[albertochavira]

i can predict an earthquake I been doing this since 1988 please contac to me this is real .